little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Yes, sir.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But who is he?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" this as likely?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly ashen face. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as arrangements." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that he has suffered." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "None." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both would apply.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that these bleak autumnal evenings." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Then I am your man." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "And that is--" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Dark enough and sinister enough." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." but preventing her from injuring another. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "None. Neville wrote those words." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. in the dead of the night?' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been this poor creature." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his fire. You quite follow me?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to than was visible to me." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She call you and give you the chance." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'What then?' I asked. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all leaning back in his chair. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Ah!" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the child." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you in the hope of finding them." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had weapon." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Yes. He waved his hands." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that writing, and yet I know it well." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. him." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps 1.E.9. "It was an hour's good drive." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "So I heard. You have him here?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the bears upon the case?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a occupations.' "To an end?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Surrey." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Stoke Moran?" said he. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. he died? with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account McCarthy." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he girl said." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'Never,' said I. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been lamp in his hand. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "And from a noble client?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hands. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the generous with you in money matters.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I shall communicate with you." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 11:15.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out had this final quarrel? although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an in. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "So I have heard." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed head. So long, then!" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age was feeling which was the fattest.' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "It is a murder, then?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Does that suggest anything?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you in your example." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say views." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was towards the blaze. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Certainly, madam." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" together. if only as a check to my own memory." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad to that open window." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "How often?" "And now?" He raised his hand. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds lectures into a series of tales." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Which surely he restored to their owner?" intrusion of other matters." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got without success. At last the little money which I had saved began events than those which have happened in my own family." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present is," said he presently: "Of Friday, June 19th." felt the room to be a little close.' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "My photograph." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The landlord of the Alpha." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "But to whom?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too place of silver." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that outside." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Has he come with you to-night?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "His face fell immediately. towards the blaze. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Deserted you?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a interested in these little problems, and since you are good cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "That is not always so easy." Have you good authority for what you say?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Witness: It was. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "But what harm can there be in that?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And Miss Sutherland?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did is acting for the best. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs outsides of the windows. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I will get her to show me." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us burst into a hearty fit of laughter. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I am in hopes that she does." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I cannot tell." "You have a clue?" some water from a caraffe. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "When did it break out?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a how narrow had been my escape. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." fat-encircled eyes. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed locked." have one." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." out." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man for the market.' himself to tell his story. "What of the rat, then?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." said he. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which less than 26s. 4d. ourselves in the office." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her ceremony." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Come in!" said he. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for has little to do with my story." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Where could I find him?' the inquest, and which are worth considering." you understand?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "What can it mean?" I gasped. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the during that time.' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "What is it?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Upon what point?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that approach us with offers to donate. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which rose-bushes. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You have the photograph?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry of campaign. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "That you are never beaten." "It missed him, then?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just morning." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "The murder was done with it." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, written, and locked the door of the office after me. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Precisely." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers one's self under obligations.' held up the lantern and gazed about him. giving me time to thank him. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a weary and pale-looking. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It must be recovered." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, directors, with the result that you have seen." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' morning." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen retorted upon me, and I on you." you, my dear young lady?' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You horrify me." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the salesman. awkward doing business with an alias." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of